This winter was brutal for everyone. The predicted day-after-tomorrow kind heavy snowfall has never arrived in Chicago. On the contrary, we barely had any freezing cold days. Because of this mild winter, all kind of viruses were having a ball. Everyone around us got at least flu and some got stomach virus as well. Whoever got sick told me that once … [Read more...]
Massage for ear infection and earache
My son used to have ear infections very frequently before he had his adenoids and tonsils removed. He used to suffer from earaches a lot and we used to help him get better with pain relievers. At that time, we got help from an osteopath but no matter how much he tried, ear infection came back. The last ear infection he got was last summer because … [Read more...]
When baby teeth fall out but permanent teeth don’t come in right away
My daughter's lower front teeth fell out right before she turned 6. The permanent teeth were growing even before the baby teeth could fall out. They hung on by a thread for quite a while, which caused the adult teeth to grow inwards for a while.On the other hand, her two upper front teeth fell out last April when when was close to 7,5. This … [Read more...]
Not-so-scary Halloween Treat Ideas
If you've seen my Healthy Halloween treats post last year, you already know that I'm "that mom" in our block, by now. This year, I'm adding familiar faces (characters) to my portfolio. Welcome, Ninja Turtle Apples! They take more work (and material) than clementine Jack-o-lanterns. I used crepe streamers, marker and glue. Beware that Sharpie ink … [Read more...]
Book Review: Perfect Health for Kids
"Perfect Health for Kids - 10 Ayurvedic Health Secrets Every Parent Must Know" is a book about health care, not sick care. I learned so many vital health information, not only for my children’s health but also for all of us in the family. I read the book again in order to prepare for the new school year, where good health and mental focus is … [Read more...]
Healthier treats to give out to Halloween trick-or-treaters
While the North Dakota mom, who plans to hand out flyers instead of candy, is having her 15-minutes of fame, we are ready for today's trick-or-treaters with clementines (or Cuties as brand name) for the second year in a row. We painted Jack-o-lantern faces with markers this year. Kids loved getting cuties last year. Both little ones, as well as … [Read more...]
Why do kids who have hard time waking up during school days, wake up early during weekends?
My son is in second grade and my daughter is in preschool. They go to different schools and their starting times are different. In order to make it to the school bus, I have to wake my son up, the latest at 6:30 am during school days. It is hard for him to wake up at 6:30 am even though he goes to bed as early as possible. It's even hard for me to … [Read more...]
“Taste it once” rule
My kids aren't picky - luckily - and they have a good appetite. However, time to time, when they are offered new food or dishes, they might be reluctant to try. My son is a little bit sensitive to smell and texture in taste. My daughter, might refuse either to imitate her brother, or just because she's decided so. It sometimes works other way … [Read more...]
Simple tip to make your morning routine to school a breeze
As a parent, you learn early on that sleep cycle doesn't work as logical with babies and kids, as it does in adults. The biggest advice for early risers is to put them in bed earlier. Also the less day-sleep they get, the less they sleep at night. It goes pretty much the same for the morning routine.I have been waking my son up as late as … [Read more...]
Hashimoto Diagnosis after my second child’s birth
My son is a spring baby. I gained reasonable and timely weight during my pregnancy. I exercised, I walked. Despite the fact that I walked more than I ever did, my son came 9 days later than my due date. After his birth, we kept walking by the lake everyday with my son. When he was 1 years old, I attended the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. I was back … [Read more...]
Why we prefer not to order from kids menus in restaurants
In the last two weeks, we had to eat out more than usual because we had guests. During the first visit, we went to a nice American restaurant which is not a chain and our server recommended Mac Cheese for children. We told him that our children eat from the adult's menu, right when, my son had opened the menu, screaming “I want calamari!” as my … [Read more...]
5 reasons why I chose not to co-sleep with my babies
Our children sleep in their own cribs and beds a soon as they were born. For the first 8 months, their crib stayed in our rooms (in parents’ room). Once they started standing up and cruising, and became more alert to sounds around them, we figured out that their sleep is interrupted when we sleep in the same room. We did "separate room readiness … [Read more...]
Supplementing Vitamin D in winter months
Vitamin D is a vitamin that is fat-soluble and not found widely in foods we consume. It is very crucial for adults and kids. It is required for bone health and immune system. It helps our body to absorb calcium and promote bone health.The very basic source of vitamin D is through the absorption sunlight through out skin. Our body produces … [Read more...]
Teaching kids how to eat healthy
I am known as the crazy daughter or wacky daughter-in-law among my family members. I might turn into a evil witch when people offer unsolicited sweets or candies to my kids. Yes, I am that mother.I love deserts and chocolate myself, that’s for sure, I won't lie. "Sweets and candy" is not limited to grocery/bakery purchased packaged foods. For … [Read more...]
Rome wasn’t built in a day
Those who have “healthy eating, exercising and losing weight” at the top of their whose New Year resolution list and started working on the list right away on the 1st (or Monday the 2nd). How is it goingAny progress?I don’t know what you expect from yourself. If everything is going the way you planned, then great. I just wanted to write you, … [Read more...]
Preparing children for emergencies
Most of us must have experienced the nightmarish experience of being separated from our parents and getting lost in public.. I have experienced both. It happened to me when I was about 5 and to this day I remember it very clearly even though I don't any other memory until I was was. Thank God my mother found me later on.That scare I had when I … [Read more...]
How to teach your kids about stranger safety
We are raising our kids in an era of paranoia. Even though I consider my own parents as cautious and prudent, I am not sure I would be able to let my kids to do the things that I was able to do leisurely when I was growing up. (see parenting manual, chapter on “you’ll understand when you have kids”) At least, you could trust a small circle of … [Read more...]
A good night’s sleep is not just for babies or children
I could not write yesterday, because I needed to practice what I am about to preach. This is the only subject on healthy living that I know, believe in and write about but cannot practice properly. It is interesting that I am passionate about writing on health but I lack practicing my sleep related suggestions.For a healthy life, the basic … [Read more...]
Product Review: Portable Hide Away Bed Rail
Kids have been sleeping in their new bunk beds for a long time. My son is 6,5 and daughter is 4 years-old now. They occasionally wake up at night. Sometimes they come into our bed in the morning. In some cases, when they need to sleep in separate rooms, when one still wants to chat, we take one into our bedroom (until they fall asleep) and the … [Read more...]
How my transformation began
THIS IS HOW EVERYTHING STARTED2004: Before I got pregnant for my son, I was fit as far as my weight and measurements went. I was working out regularly. My pregnancy went really well. Despite being chocolateholic, I never touched sweets and/or chocolate during my pregnancy. (started 140 lbs. -63.5 kg)2005: Giving birth in May is a wonderful … [Read more...]